Improvement in plows



W. T. SPROUSE.

Plow.

No. 6,179. Patented Mar. 13, 1849.

AM. PHBTO-LlTHO. C0. N-Y- (DSBORNE'S PROCESS.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W. T. SPROUSE, OF PETERSBURG, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT lN PLOWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 6, [79, dated March 13, 1849.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. SPROUSE, of Petersburg, in the county of Menard and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Manner of Constructing Flows; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccom pan yin g drawing, making a part of this specification.

The plow formed by my improved process I denominate the OceidentaLPlow for the purpose of distinguishing it from the many others in use.

In the accompanyingdrawing, Arepresents the standard 1, the bar 2, and the flange 3, all cast in one piece, to which casting I combine the share-plate B and the mold-board O in the manner represented in the drawing D. The share-plate B is in the form of a rhoinbus, (or diamond shaped,) and has two slots, I) 0, formed in it parallel with each other and with the sides of the plate, as represented in the drawing, each slot being formed at the same distance from the edge of theplate which it is nearest to and parallel with; The share-plate B fits accurately to the upper tlat, surface of the flange 3 when either of its ac'uteanglcs are placed in advance of the front point of the bar 2, and the edge of the plate is placed even with the landside of the said bar 2 of the casting A. The mold-board O has its lower edge beveled off so as to fit accurately to the shareplate B when the two are placed in their proper position.

The casting A, share-plate B, and moldboard 0 are secured to each other as follows A screw-bolt is passed down through the aperture c of the mold-board, through the slot 1) in the share-plate, and through the aperture a in the flange 3, which bolt has its head countersunk into the face of the mold-board and a out on its shank that bears against the under side of the flange. Another screw-bolt passes down through the aperture 0 in the mold-board and the slot 1) inthe share-plate, with its head countersunk into the mold-board, and a nut working on its shank under the share-plate. A third screw-bolt passes through theaperture c in the mold-board and the aperture a in the ear 6, projecting from the inner side of the standard 1, and is secured by a nut.

The stock or wooden portion of the plow is connected to the metallic portion above described in the usual manner.

The share-plate B may be placed with either of its acute angles in advance. As the exposed front edge of the share-plate and point wears away by use the plate can be moved forward and adjusted again to the proper position for the best action, and this may be again repeated so long as the slots in the plate will permit, when the position of the share-plate can be reversed and its opposite edge made use of in the same manner.

I will now proceed to state the nature and object of my invention. It is to so construct a plow that a farmer can keep it in perfect repair for a great length of time himself without requiring the services of a blacksmith. The plow in general use on the prairies of the west is what is called the Diamond Plow. In this plow asingle diamond-shaped wrought plate of metal forms the share, point, and moldboard. There is a particular winding-shaped concavity that can be given to this diamondshaped plate that will cause the friction of the earth (or rich black ungritty mold of the prairies) to polish it and prevent the same from adhering thereto and cloggingits movements. If this particular shape is not given to the mold-board plate it will not polish by the action of the earth in passing through it, butwill clog and require frequent cleaning, and in consequence will not perform its work perfectly and will require considerable additional power to operate it. When the mold-board plate of the diamond plow requires repairs there is great danger that its form will be changed by thesmith from its proper polishing shape, when the evils above enumerated will ensue, greatly to the injury of the owner of the plow, as will readily be perceived.

In my improved method of constructing plows 1 form the mold-board of cast-iron and give its face the most perfect shape for polish= ing, so that the moistest earth or mold will not adhere to it and obstruct its free movement through the samewiththeleastpossibleamount of resistance. The share-plate B, I make of steel and give it a uniform thickness through out, so that by placing either of its ends foremost or adjusting its position as its points and share-edges wear away by usevnotthe slightest deviation will be caused thereby to the form and position of the mold-board.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

forward to a proper position as its operating point or share-edge wears away by use without producing the slightest change in the form or position of the winding concave face of the mold-board, substantially as represented and The constructing the share and point of my described herein, and for the purpose set forth. improved plow of a diamond-shaped flat plate of metal, B, placed under the mold-board O, and combined therewith and with the flange3 and standard 1 of the casting A in such a manner that the share-plate B can be moved WILLIAM T. SPROUSE.

Witnesses:

THOMAS S. HARRIS, EDMUND GREEK. 

